Ford Thunderbird (tenth generation)
tenth generation of the Ford Thunderbird
The tenth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a front-engine, rear-drive, five passenger, two-door personal luxury coupe manufactured and marketed by Ford for the 1989 to 1997 model years. Introduced on December 26, 1988 as a 1989 model, the Thunderbird was co-developed with the Mercury Cougar. using Ford's new MN12 platform — with a more aerodynamic body, slightly shorter overall length and nine-inch-longer wheelbase than the outgoing 1988 Thunderbird.
Featuring four-wheel independent suspension, with short-and-long arms (SLA) and a spring strut assembly in the front and multiple links in the rear, offering excellent handling and ride quality, its configuration made the Thunderbird (along with the co-developed Lincoln Mark VIII and Cougar) the only rear-wheel drive North American domestic cars other than the Chevrolet Corvette to offer four-wheel independent suspension.
Model year changes and design
Engine options fell to only two for 1989 as Ford dropped the V8 option for the new Thunderbird, which would return later for the 1991 model year. The base and LX models were powered by Ford's 3.8 L Essex OHV V6, rated at 140 horsepower (104 kW) at 3,800 rpm and 215 lb⋅ft (292 N⋅m) of torque at 2,400 rpm. However, many felt the V6 engine was somewhat underpowered for a car that weighed over 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) in base trim (heavier when equipped with available options). This engine was mated to Ford's AOD 4-speed automatic transmission regardless of trim level from the 1989 to 1993 model years.
With the exception of the 1955 model, the Thunderbird traditionally used no "FORD" exterior badging of any kind. For this generation only, the Ford Blue Oval emblem was used on the trunklid.
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